Bhagavad Gita Exercises (Courses and Master)
How to study the Bhagavad Gita
The study of the Bhagavad Gita is not merely an academic exercise but a transformative journey toward Self-Knowledge. At the Gita Institute, under the direction of Pedro Nonell—a Spanish expert in the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, and the teachings of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda—students engage with the text through a unique methodology.
These exercises are designed to move beyond simple memorization, challenging the student to apply the eternal wisdom of the Gita to modern life. Whether enrolled in basic or advanced training, the focus remains on reflection, meditation, and the development of a truthful, courageous character as recommended by God in the sacred verses.
Exercises based on Self-Knowledge, research and application of the Bhagavad Gita
Depending on the type of Training you will have to perform a series of exercises and work that will be evaluated by the Gita Institute. The exercises and exams are not “copy and paste” (or Chat GPT), but will be based on research and the application of what has been learned.
All subjects contain a series of exercises (self-assessment questions), which you must answer and send to your teacher. This will not correct them, but it will evaluate them (it would be impossible due to its length). If according to the teacher's criteria, you have not passed them, he will motivate you to study again to repeat them (there are only two opportunities). If the teacher has doubts about your level of knowledge, he or she may request an e-meeting via videoconference.
Ejercicios Bhagavad Gita 
Exercícios Bhagavad-Gita.
Each chapter of the Bhagavad Gita has its own self-assessment exercises:
A) Basic training:
The student must answer the exercises in each chapter. Below you can see an example of the exercises from Chapter 3 - Karma Yoga, (for this chapter there are four pages).
Example exercises Karma Yoga- basic training Bhagavad Gita:
b) Advanced training:
The student must answer the exercises for each verse (shloka) of each chapter. Below you can see an example of the exercises from Chapter 3 - Karma Yoga, (for this chapter there are nine pages).
Example of Karma Yoga exercises- Advanced training Bhagavad Gita:
Obviously, the advanced training questions are much more complex.
Key note about studying the Gita
It is important to note that solving these exercises is essential to deepen the knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita and the philosophy of Yoga. Except for the research exercises, all of them can be answered with the content of the study materials. The exercises are designed above all so that you reflect and meditate on what you have studied. Furthermore, in many cases it will force you to reread a certain verse, or its comment, to answer it appropriately, so that little by little you will consolidate this complex knowledge and gradually incorporate it into your life, that is, advance in your Self-Knowledge.
The Bhagavad Gita recommends, among other things, courage and truthfulness, and you must take these two principles into account when answering the exercises. It is not about copying the text of the notes, perhaps changing a word, that would be too easy and would give you little. It is about having the courage and determination to meditate on the content of the Bhagavad Gita set forth in the study materials, and develop your own response. Even if you are wrong, that is the only way to think and reflect, and it is the only way to focus the study of the Bhagavad Gita.
And do not forget that the Bhagavad Gita is the science of the soul, a Para-Vidya science, totally different from the study of other sciences such as mathematics or physics.
Given the complexity of evaluating knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita, the evaluation system for the exercises is not based on a scale of 1 to 10. But simply on “Pass / Fail”. Exceptionally, the professor may qualify the grade as “Cum Laude” in those cases in which the work performed is considered of interest to all humanity.
In the case of the Master in Bhagavad Gita, the thesis is a deep research work (equivalent to 10 ECTS); The thesis topic is proposed by the student, and must be approved by his or her professor.
The advanced training also includes a series of FAQs (questions and answers for each verse of each chapter) with their solution.
Listen to the video of Pedro Nonell with English subtitles
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are these exams multiple-choice or "copy and paste"?
No. Pedro Nonell has designed these exercises to be research-based. They require the student to reflect, meditate, and apply the concepts learned, rather than simply reproducing text from the notes.
What is the difference between Basic and Advanced training exercises?
Basic training involves answering broader questions for each chapter. Advanced training is much more rigorous, requiring specific exercises for every single verse (shloka) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How are the exercises evaluated?
Unlike traditional schooling, the evaluation is "Pass/Fail." The goal is to ensure the student has consolidated the knowledge and incorporated it into their life. In exceptional cases of high-level research, a "Cum Laude" distinction may be awarded.
Can I use AI tools like ChatGPT to answer the questions?
The Institute discourages "copy and paste" methods. The exercises are a tool for your own Self-Knowledge; bypassing the reflection process defeats the spiritual purpose of the study.
What happens if I do not pass an exercise?
The professor will motivate you to study the material again. You are generally given two opportunities to pass each section.
Conclusion
Completing the Bhagavad Gita exercises is an essential step for any seeker wishing to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
By requiring students to revisit verses and meditate on their deeper meanings, these assignments ensure that the philosophy of Yoga becomes a lived experience. Guided by the expertise of Pedro Nonell, this rigorous academic and spiritual approach transforms the study of the Gita from a simple reading into a profound science of the soul—a true Para-Vidya.
Through these exercises, the student gains the courage and truthfulness necessary to advance on the path of God-realization.
Versions, Ramakrishna and Vivekananda, General overview, Study guide, chapter of the Bhagavad Gita
Online Training, reading, one to one, transmission of the Bhagavad Gita, Should we believe in something?, dogmas
Advanced training
(c) Gita Institute & Pedro Nonell
